California is rolling in tax money, a fact that is smoothing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s entry to office. He’s doling out money to nearly every serious need the state has, paying down debt and easing pension liabilities. It’s good to be Gavin.

But he’s also sounding a familiar warning, borrowed from his thrifty predecessor, Gov. Jerry Brown, with a warning that much of the money will be targeted, tested and one time, though those promises will be hard to keep once the funds begin to flow.

It’s made possible by a growing state surplus, that’s climbed from $15 billion last year to $21.4 billion, according to the governor. Looking ahead, Newsom believes he can keep the budget balanced for three more years, given financial predictions. He’s promising to add to the required “rainy day” fund to bring it to $20 billion during his four-year term.

The early-season budget plan, due to be refined in May, weighs in at $144 billion, up 4 percent or $8 billion from last year.

Newsom and the Democratic-controlled Legislature are pushing to pay for causes that range from K-12 education to wildfire prevention. On the list as well are homelessness, preschool and expanded health coverage, all major expansions of state involvement and campaign promises of Newsom.

The money flowing to Sacramento is also allowing the state to pay off the recession-era borrowing from a decade ago that totaled over $25 billion, a sum known as the “Wall of Debt.” The tax largesse also allows Newsom to steer over $4 billion into the state’s two major teacher and state employee pension funds, which face crippling liabilities.

Newsom was at pains to emphasize that his spending leans on yearly outlays and won’t lock the state into future obligations. That’s a promise worth remembering, especially when it involves signature programs such as $1.8 billion for preschool education or wider health care coverage that includes undocumented young adults.

There may never be a governor who savors details the way Newsom does. “I love this stuff,” he said, warning his audience in a Sacramento meeting room before an eye-glazing tour of his spending plans. Unlike Brown, who occasionally deferred to aides for help, Newsom needed no one to sail through an hour-long presentation.

California’s poverty rate, education divide and economic divisions demand a response from Sacramento leadership. With the money at hand, it’s time to test the answers that Newsom is offering. With a strong economy at his back for now, he deserves a chance to test his solutions.

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